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Working for DWP

Information about applying for jobs with and working for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

DWP operates on a scale that is almost unmatched anywhere in Europe and most people in Britain come into contact with us at some point in their lives. We offer:

a wide range of interesting and rewarding careers

the chance to make a real difference to people’s lives

an excellent package of employee benefits

We lead on the government’s policies for welfare, pensions and child support. We help people to find jobs and employers to fill vacancies. We make payments to jobseekers, pensioners, disabled people, parents and carers. Our staff are making the largest changes in the welfare system for a generation, including the introduction of Universal Credit and the new State Pension.

be flexible and adaptable – for example, by changing your working pattern if there is a business need

treat colleagues and customers with respect and as you would want to be treated

attend work on time and stay in touch if you are not able to work

keep up to date with developments, changes and information

be committed to improving customer service

respect the confidential nature of the information you receive as part of your job

How we recruit

A typical application process will involve the following stages.

1. Completing an online application form

Our selection process is based on competencies. These are skills and experience you may have gained in any area of your life, such as at work, home, school, in leisure activities or voluntary work. Most applications will ask you to give examples of how you feel you have met and demonstrated these competencies. We will let you know what these competencies are so that you can understand how to apply them and what they mean. You can read more about writing competency statements for a job application in our guidance.

If you use assistive technology (eg a screen reader) and need a
version of this document in a more accessible format, please email accessible.formats@dwp.gsi.gov.uk.
Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

2. Completing an online test

If we have decided to use our online test in the exercise, we will invite you to take the test once we receive your application form. The job advert will tell you how long the test will be open for. You can take the test at any time from any internet-enabled device between the dates outlined in the advert.

During the test you will review a range of scenarios and questions with multiple choice answers. You will select what you think is the best answer for each scenario. There are no wrong answers but some are more suitable than others. You will have the opportunity to view example questions before starting the test. Once you have started the test, you must complete it in one sitting.

3. Attending an interview

If you are successful at the test stage, we will assess and rate your application form to decide whether to invite you for an interview.

You can find out more about preparing for the interview in our guidance.

If you use assistive technology (eg a screen reader) and need a
version of this document in a more accessible format, please email accessible.formats@dwp.gsi.gov.uk.
Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

We must wait until all candidates have been through the full process before offering any jobs. We aim to complete recruitment exercises within 12 weeks of the job advert.

4. Pre-appointment checks

If you are successful with your application, we will carry out certain checks before you can start work. Like all employers, DWP has to make sure that all its employees are suitable to work in our organisation and that they are allowed to work in the United Kingdom.

We have to check on your identity, age, nationality, employment record, character and right to work. We will ask for certain documents to help us do this.

We will write and ask you to complete the ‘character and criminal record declaration form’ to help us make these checks. You will need to save this form on your computer before you start filling it in.

If you use assistive technology (eg a screen reader) and need a
version of this document in a more accessible format, please email accessible.formats@dwp.gsi.gov.uk.
Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

We may also cross-check the information you provide with information held on our own systems. To allow us to do this we may ask you to complete a consent form.

The checks can take up to 20 days to complete.

Probationary period

If you join DWP on a permanent or fixed term appointment, you will need to serve a 6 month probationary period that we may extend for an extra 3 months.

We will usually expect new recruits for a permanent appointment to have stayed in their post for 2 years before applying for another post on promotion or level transfer.